Helmut: The Forsaken Child - H.F.C Chapter 195 (Part 1):

Helmut’s premonition was accurate.

Pascal had a penchant for the young, regardless of gender, and not in an innocent way. His preference was for the fresh, immature bodies full of vitality. The word ‘immorality’ was what drew him.

As a High Priest, he pursued these wrongful desires, which, once indulged, had addicted him.

He targeted young boys and girls who were not part of the temple to avoid problems.

‘To do great things, sometimes I need to satisfy my inner impulses appropriately,’ Pascal rationalized to himself.

He had risen to the position of High Priest at a young age. His innate holy power and talent had easily granted him power and wealth.

The role of a High Priest in the temple wasn’t just to offer prayers to the gods. In an era without the absolute evil of a Demon King, if power was concentrated in one group, it was more unusual for it not to be corrupt.

As long as he did not overtly soil the temple’s name, anything he did was acceptable. Pascal had exploited his position well.

Pascal reached out his hand.

“Let me examine him.”

It was impossible to allow the High Priest to inspect Alea, regardless of her reasons for hiding from the temple.

Helmut stepped forward to block his path, and the knights burst into outrage.

“How dare you obstruct the High Priest!”

“He’s my client, and protecting him is my job.”

The reason was the High Priest, but Helmut also didn’t like the look in his eyes. It was a sinister gaze.

Yet, they were both men, at least by appearance. Why then?

High Priest Pascal offered generously with a benevolent smile.

“I could heal your client.”

“He is not injured.”

“You do not understand. A magician lapsing into such a deep sleep usually indicates internal damage. Perhaps a spell failed. I can heal him.”

It was a sharp observation. It seemed the High Priest wasn’t as simple as he appeared. Helmut remained staunch.

“My client instructed not to be touched. That includes the High Priest.”

Only then did Pascal’s smile fade.

“You do not understand words.”

His previously gentle face disappeared, replaced by a haughty and cold expression.

“Fine, you’re a mercenary? I’ll offer you ten times what you were paid to step aside.”

Suddenly, Pascal’s intention to buy Alea was unclear to Helmut, who remained silent.

It was clear that he couldn’t hand her over, but he couldn’t understand why Pascal was making such a request.

“Lord Pascal, why offer money to such a person? Allow me to handle it.”

One of the knights stepped forward, evidently eager to earn the High Priest’s favor. Pascal waved him off.

“No, that’s unnecessary. It’s commendable that a mercenary is loyal to his contract. Isn’t it praiseworthy for such a young one? He has a sharp edge, but I like his delicate features.”

He tsked regretfully.

“If you were a bit younger, it would have been perfect. That’s why I’m offering a special price here.”

Helmut shuddered. Indeed, in his youth, he had been as pretty as any girl.

He finally understood why Pascal wanted him to hand over Alea.

‘To think the High Priest has such tastes.’

It was a predilection condemned even in human society. Once more, the High Priest urged.

“If you leave the magician here, nothing will happen to you. Don’t worry. If your client simply follows my words, he will be safely returned.”

“Do as the High Priest says!”

Several knights menacingly approached him, ready to force compliance if Helmut refused.

Helmut assessed the size of the enemy.

If he left Alea, Helmut would be safe. The High Priest hadn’t noticed the seed of darkness in him.

Logically, it made sense to leave Alea behind and withdraw.

Helmut had endured a long time to emerge from the Forest of Roots. He hadn’t even met his parents yet, and now he risked making that time meaningless.

Wasn’t it for that reason he had hidden and endured?

The most formidable enemies he had ever met were before him. If a fight could be avoided, shouldn’t it be?

Yet, he couldn’t. Something hot surged within him, overpowering his reason.

He hadn’t grown strong to give up. He hadn’t grasped his sword to flee, powerless.

To conquer and to protect. Whether it was himself or something eventual.

Sometimes, there are moments when risks must be taken, when no compromise is possible.

This was one of those moments!

Helmut murmured as swiftly as the wind, “That won’t be possible.”

Before they could grasp his words, his sword was drawn.

Crack! The neck of a knight who had come too close sailed through the air.

His sword then turned and pierced the heart of another. Blood splattered. In an instant, two lives were extinguished—a price for their complacency.

“This, this boy!”

With a shout, three more knights drew their swords and charged at him.

But they were just three. To an opponent who had defeated the commander of the Palma Knights, three was nothing!

A fierce smile flickered across Helmut’s face as he fully demonstrated his skill.

Rapid sword strikes, too fast for the knights to counter, descended upon them. Soon, three more bodies were added. The peaceful forest was quickly tainted with the scent of blood.

“Ah, how could this happen…”

Pascal, who had hastily retreated behind his knights, was struck with horror.

Until just moments ago, the dark-haired boy had stood quietly before him. Now, looking at him as if discovering something new.

His calm, still eyes. Blood dripped from the sword in his hand. Yet, his face, having committed slaughter, was disturbingly expressionless.

The High Priest recognized the Vis emanating from his sword. The ominous, ashen Vis. The faint sensation coming from it…

Pascal’s eyes widened.

“You, you couldn’t possibly!”

Though he said ‘possibly,’ it was certain. If a boy of that age could dispatch knights with such Vis…

Moreover, the sensation within his Vis was unmistakably, magic! Pascal’s booming voice fell.

“He has a seed of darkness. Quickly, form up!”

Fortunately, their focus seemed to have shifted from Alea to Helmut.

Helmut was aware of Alea’s presence behind him. It was rather fortunate she was unconscious, allowing him to unleash his full capabilities.

‘Before Alea awakens, I’ll have to deal with them all.’

Alea would likely remain unaware of what had transpired. Helmut tightened his grip on his sword.

An odd sense of exhilaration filled him. A fierce, confident will to fight anything seemed to guide him.

The seed of darkness no longer urged him to flee. It seemed to accept this fight as fate.

“I’ll kill them all and silence them.”

Before their confusion settled, Helmut’s feet pounded the ground.

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